About RAA

RAA is one of the nation’s largest independent registered investment advisors, specializing in the unique challenges and goals of airline employees and their families. We provide personal solutions for 401(k) management, financial and retirement planning, investment management, estate planning, survivor assistance, as well as Medicare, Social Security, long-term care and insurance guidance.

Key Facts

Named by Barron’s as one of the Top 100 independent financial advisors in the United States

Rated a Financial Times Top 300 Financial Advisor

Focused on the unique needs of airline employees and their families

Recently completed a merger with Advisor Financial Services

Serving over 3,000 pilots at every major airline throughout the U.S.

Maintain a 97% client retention rate

More than 25 years of experience providing exceptional service to our clients

$2.3 billion in assets under management (As of July 1, 2016)

Our Values

Every great organization holds to a set of core beliefs that are shared by its members. Over the years, RAA has established these values, which serve as our guiding priciples.

Relationships

Our commitment to long term relationships guides everything we do. Retirement Advisors has worked successfully with thousands of clients.

Disciplined Approach

We employ a rigorous proven process that addresses all the components of a sound financial plan. We design financial plans customized to fit your financial situation and objectives.

Communication

We believe constant communication is critical. We use frequent communication to foster an ongoing dialogue and a constant exchange of information.

Your Well Being

Our sole mandate is to help you grow and preserve wealth in accordance with your overall financial goals.

What distinguishes RAA from other advisors?

The Final Approach Program®, which is the most comprehensive pilot retirement planning tool in the industry.

Unequaled experience and depth of knowledge of your airline benefits with a profound understanding of the pilot psyche.

You will know at least one of our clients, probably many. Ask us for a reference by airline, geography, military service, etc. We will provide you with a name you know.

Brad Bridgewater

Chief Relationship Officer

Brad is the Chief Relationship Officer for RAA. He is responsible for the relationships we have with our clients and the operations structure that supports our client facing team members. His focus is the journey that our clients and their families take with us from the time they are first introduced to RAA, through their onboarding as a client and the entire scope of their client experience with us and beyond to the next generation. Brad joined the company in 2005 as a Financial Consultant working with retiring airline pilots. In 2011, he was promoted to Vice President of Business Development. Prior to joining RAA, Brad was an athlete representing the United States Swimming National Team around the world, including winning a Gold Medal in the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta in the 200 meter backstroke. Brad holds a BA from the University of Southern California and resides in Frisco, Texas with his wife Erin and their two children.

Michael Kane, CFP®

Vice President and Financial Consultant

Michael Kane is a Vice President and Financial Consultant with RAA. Mike joined the RAA team in 2012. He works closely with pilots to evaluate their retirement planning readiness and provide solutions to meet their retirement goals and dreams. Mike has over 22 years of financial services experience with Fidelity Investments, American Beacon Advisors, and Baker Avenue. Mike is a graduate of Texas Tech University with a degree in Marketing. He has also completed the CFP Examination and coursework for the Certified Financial Planners designation through the College of Financial Planning.

Fred Kneib, AIF®

Vice President, Financial Consultant

Fred joined RAA as a Vice President, Financial Consultant in 2017. He is also an A330 Captain for Delta Air Lines. Prior to joining RAA, Fred served as Managing Principal at Resource Navigation Partners, Inc. With years of industry experience, Fred’s focus is to assist his clients with their financial planning needs and help them reach their short and long-term financial goals.

He has a degree from the United States Air Force Academy and post-graduate work in accounting, and continues his accreditation in life and long-term care insurance. In addition, he earned his AIF® (Accredited Investment Fiduciary) designation, and applies that fiduciary standard in every aspect of his work. Fred is an active member of the community and works with numerous local charities.

Gary Peterson

Vice President, Financial Consultant

Gary joined RAA as a Vice President, Financial Consultant in 2017. He has been an active personal investor in the financial markets for over 30 years, and began his investment career with a major broker/dealer as a Financial Advisor in September 2009, where he provided investment strategies and wealth management along with personal financial planning. He believes that the keys to successful financial planning and investment management are understanding the financial goals of his client, open and honest communication, and putting clients’ needs and wishes above all else.

Gary holds the Series 7 and Series 66 licenses. He also received a BBA in Marketing from the University of Wisconsin-Madison as well as an MBA in International Management and Finance from the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minnesota, where much of his coursework was in security analysis, portfolio management, and corporate finance. Gary is also a B757/767 Captain based out of Seattle, Washington. He enjoys cycling, camping, soaring, and spending time with his family.

About Us

Our expertise in the industry allows us to assist you with the important decisions you will make before and after retirement. Our professionals have the experience and resources to help you create and implement a disciplined financial plan.

RAA's proprietary Final Approach Program is known throughout the airline industry as a comprehensive pre-retirement program, providing pilots and their families with timely advice and accurate guidance as they consider retirement.